The Owens Lake Bird Festival goes virtual for 2021!

Over the past six years, the Owens Lake Bird Festival has grown to become a premier event in Owens Valley for birders and naturalists. The incredible offerings of the Eastern Sierra make for world-class experiences for the thousand-plus attendees who have participated. We look forward to the time when we can once again host these in-person gatherings. But until then, we are excited to bring together our community virtually for the 2021 Owens Lake Bird Festival!

We hope you will join us this year for our offering of unique virtual events on Friday and Saturday evenings. One benefit of a virtual event over an in-person event is that our expert presenters can share information via their screens in a way that this event has never offered. Plus, you can join the event from the comfort of your own home. Barriers including traveling, lodging, and access are no longer a hurdle–simply sign up and join us from your device. Plus, you won't miss your favorite event because it's filled up! We hope to see you in April!

If you are unable to attend the event, ticket holders can access the recorded presentations. So feel free to register and look out for the follow-up email in the week following the event. Thank you!

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 The Virtual Presentations

Owens Lake Habitat Management: It’s for the Birds

Presented by Collette Gaal & Jeff Nordin
Friday, April 23rd at 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power operates the Owens Lake Dust Mitigation Program on approximately 48.6 square miles of Owens Lakebed. Since the implementation of water-based dust control, Owens Lake has once again become an important stop-over for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. While originally designed to control dust, shallow flooding areas are now also managed to sustain habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. We will discuss how these areas are managed to benefit migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.

Photographing Birds in Inyo County

Presented by Martin Powell
Saturday, April 24th at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Lone Pine native, local photographer, and popular Owens Lake Bird Festival leader, Martin Powell will be presenting his incredible photos, the stories behind them, and highlights of the birds and places that he photographs throughout Inyo County.

Owens Lake’s Importance in Western Hemisphere Bird Migration

Presented by Mike Prather
Saturday, April 24th at 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Presented by Mike Prather, Lone Pine resident and local icon in the birding community, this presentation will explore the importance of Owens Lake Lake to western hemisphere bird migration. Mike will share his knowledge and expertise of some of the most incredible birding in the world.

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Jeff Nordin

Jeff Nordin is a Watershed Resources Supervisor for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in Bishop. After studying community ecology and receiving a Master’s degree in Biology at Cal Poly, Pomona, Jeff came to the Owens Valley and currently lives in Big Pine. Jeff has been involved in planning efforts for the Owens Lake Master Project and has helped manage Owens Lake Dust Control and other City of Los Angeles lands in the Eastern Sierra for the past 10 years. His experience implementing habitat projects gives Jeff a unique perspective in ecosystem responses to impacts and restoration efforts. 

Collette Gaal

Collette is a Watershed Resources Specialist for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in Bishop. Collette studied Biological Sciences and received a Master’s degree in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry at University of California at Davis. Collette has done bird, plant and other biological monitoring, reporting and permitting on Owens Lake since 2009. Her experience allows her to share unique perspective on the ecology, water management, and specific species that visit the Owens Lake.  

Mike Prather

Mike has lived in Inyo County since 1972, both in Death Valley and Lone Pine. During that time he has worked on desert issues such as wildlife, water, wilderness and parks. He has been birding at Owens Lake since the early 1980’s and organized the first voices calling for the protection and enhancement of Owens Lake’s birds and their habitat. His determined voice was instrumental in founding the annual Owens lake Bird Festival, and his trips continue to be one of the most in demand events at the festival.  He shares a passion for teaching, decades of experience on the lake, and a deep knowledge of the birds visiting Owens Lake.   

Martin Powell

Martin Powell grew up in Lone Pine, a place he calls home today. He is an avid hiker of the Sierra and desert ecosystems who regularly visits Whitney Portal, Cottonwood/Horseshoe Meadow, and the Alabama Hills for both exercise and bird photography. Recently retired, he enjoys traveling the world looking for that perfect bird picture. Martin's recent trips include Nome, St. Lawrence Island, Panama, Wisconsin, and Florida.  

Martin has led tours for all levels of photographers at the annual Owens Lake Bird Festival,  an endeavor he finds particularly fulfilling and rewarding. His experience with both photography and the unique ecosystems around Owens Lake makes him a great asset for birders looking to capture their best images of the annual bird migration. His main concern for the area is that our Eastern Sierra public lands stay open, accessible, and well maintained. We are proud to have Martin on the Friends of the Inyo Board of Directors.